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Protesters decry Lithuania's shale gas plans

LIUDAS DAPKUS Associated Press

Posted:
02/26/2013 06:58:50 AM CST

Updated:
02/26/2013 09:47:19 AM CST

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Lithuanians gather for an anti-American demonstration rally at the President palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. Protesters oppose government plans to explore shale gas fields in the western part of the country. Poster at right reads 'Chevron Out.'

An estimated 500 protesters shouted and banged drums in central Vilnius in response to a recent government move to issue Chevron an exploration license for western Lithuania. One protester carried a sign that read "No American capitalists on Lithuanian soil."

Critics say shale gas exploration and production creates a significant environmental risk in the heavily forested areas close to the Baltic Sea.

"They will dig enormous holes that will spoil our drinking water ... and then leave. People will not make any money on this," said Pertas Kazlauskas, a protester. "We will do everything to keep this monstrous technology away."

According to estimates by the National Geological Service, Lithuania could have 50 billion to 60 billion cubic meters of shale gas reserves, or about 20 years' worth of gas at the country's current rate of consumption.

Supporters of shale gas—including the center-left government of Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius—argue that the reserves represent a rare opportunity for Lithuania to decrease its energy dependency on Russia, which currently supplies all of Lithuania's gas.

Chevron officials say they hope to begin exploration work this year, but growing public opposition may delay those plans.